Bonus episodes are a rare occurrence here but we're doing this one because we feel compelled to tell you about an incredible shift happening in our industry and an amazing tool we're using to ride that shift. It's called Circle. Today, we're going to explain why community is everything and why we describe our commitment to the community within SPI as the beating heart of the business. We're so stoked that there are actually three segments within this bonus episode: a one-on-one interview and two roundtables. There's tons of actionable advice through this whole episode, whether you have a community of your own or are just starting to think about it. I can't emphasize enough what an amazing, critical opportunity online communities are for creators; Circle is an invaluable asset in making it happen. Check out Circle at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/circle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/circle</a> [Full Disclosure: I'm a compensated advisor and an affiliate for Circle]. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/circlebonus

The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

Why Community Is Everything In 2021 (and Beyond) — Bonus Episode with Circle.so

#474 Today we're going to jump back in the DeLorean and go all the way back to when I made my first time hire. Now, this wasn't a long-term hire or a team member, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons in the process (some of them kind of embarrassing, to be honest). Making that first hire was really the unlock for me in a lot of ways. Ultimately, you just can't do everything on your own, and once you realize just how much more you can do by outsourcing, hiring, delegating . . . so many doors open up. So let's sit back, relax, and I'll tell you the story. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session474" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session474</a>

SPI 474: My First Time Hire Story (And How Much I Tried to Avoid It)

#473 How do you show appreciation for your assistant, who basically acts as an extension of your entrepreneurial self? Or, how do you resolve conflict with an assistant, what do you do if they're not the right fit? We're going to get into all of that, discuss how my assistant's role with SPI has evolved over 7+ years, and a lot more. Jess is such a blast to work with and I'm so grateful that she's on the show with me today. Let's go! Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session473" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session473</a>

SPI 473: Assistants, Admins, and Appreciation (with Jess, My Assistant of 7+ Years)

#472 We just had an amazing episode on the podcast earlier this week — <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session471" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SPI 471: How to Become a Better Communicator with Kolarele Sonaike</a>. Definitely listen to it if you haven't had a chance yet. But today I want to share my own journey as a communicator. We're going to hop in the DeLorean and go all the way back to middle school, high school, and college — where I first started honing my communication skills. Sometimes you just have to hit the ground running, and when it comes to learning how to communicate as an entrepreneur, it's not helpful to be "the kid in the back of the class" (like I once was). Hopefully, this episode inspires you to get out there, make mistakes, and avoid the trap of thinking everything you put out there has to be perfect. <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session472" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session472</a>

SPI 472: My Struggles with Communication

#471 Communication is one of the most critical foundations to everything you do as an entrepreneur, in your personal relationships, and so much more. And becoming a better communicator is a lifelong journey — how do we do better? Our guest today is Koralele Sonaike, a Communication Skills Coach with a background as a barrister (England's version of a lawyer). He's here today to talk about approaches for becoming a better communicator, his own journey as a barrister and communicator, and the transformations he helps create in the lives of his clients. This episode can do amazing things for you, so if you want to better your communication and get better results in your business, don't pass it up. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session471" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session471</a>

SPI 471: How to Become a Better Communicator with Kolarele Sonaike

#470: What is it I've found, you ask? Let me tell you: a topic that I'm deeply interested in and a way to share it that's unlike what anyone else is doing.In session 469, I talked to Nick from PokeRev about his Pokemon card collecting and how he's been able to create a community—and earn money—around his hobby. Over the last few months, he and I have built a friendship around our shared love of Pokemon, and I've joined a number of his live streams and even become a moderator for his community, the PokeCave. Seeing what he's doing inspired me to create my own Pokemon-centered YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, where I've found a love for live streams. There I try to bring positivity and energy to inspire other collectors and create a fun space for families to join. I've learned so much doing those live streams, and now I want to share what's making those successful. Let's go! Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session470" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session470</a>

SPI 470: I Found It!

#469 What if you could turn a hobby or passion — maybe something you loved or were crazy about as a kid — into a thriving goldmine of a business? That's exactly what Nick, AKA PokeRev, has done. Pokemon was his passion as a kid, it's something that's deeply steeped in nostalgia for him. He's managed to turn that joy into a super-successful YouTube channel. Thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of people join him on his live streams and he's been able to grow his subscribers to nearly 300k in just about a year! Whether you're new to the hobby or not, definitely give this one a listen. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session469" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session469</a>

SPI 469: How Nick Turned His Passion into a Diverse Entrepreneurial Goldmine

#468: In <a href="https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session467" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SPI 467</a>, I talked to Kristen at <a href="https://bearfoottheory.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bearfoot Theory</a>, who took a month-long sabbatical from work at the end of 2020—a whole month disconnected from her business!— and managed to make more money than she had before, even while she was gone. We all need a break from time to time, and for those of us who own and manage our businesses on a day-to-day basis, it can be a real challenge to even think about stepping away for an extended time. This can feel overwhelming and stressful and trust me, I've been there. Finding a healthy work and life balance has not always been easy for me.After a vacation to Hawaii a couple of years ago, I realized I had a near-impossible time disconnecting completely from work. I even took all my podcasting equipment with me to record an episode while I was there. (Not cool, Pat.) This kept me from fully relaxing and enjoying the precious time I had away with my family.Since then, I've put a good deal of thought into how my next vacation can be different, and today, I'll take a deep dive into the strategies my team and I have worked on together to set the business up for success for those times when I need to step away, unplug, and recharge.Find show notes at <a href="https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/session468" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">smartpassiveincome.com/session468</a>.

SPI 468: When I've Failed at Work & Life Balance

#467 We talk about a lot of business topics here at SPI, most of them related to moving forward: how to optimize your time, build your business, launch courses, create a podcast. It's a lot of doing. But today we're going to talk about something on a different side of the spectrum: taking time away from your business to think, focus on your mental health, gain new clarity, and reevaluate your relationship with your business or things like social media. On the show with me today is Kristen Bor, a travel blogger at <a href="http://bearfoottheory.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BearfootTheory.com</a> who did exactly that. Whether you've never taken a sabbatical before or the idea is just plain crazy to you, you should listen to this episode. I hope it's as inspiring for you as it was for me! Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session467" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session467</a>

SPI 467: What Going on Sabattical Can REALLY Do for Mental Health and Clarity with Kristen Bor

#466: We go deep in this episode. We're talking about the entrepreneurial leap—that moment when you accept the risk and truly dedicate yourself to the path of starting your own business. For me, it didn't happen the moment I got laid off or even after I started making more than four times what I'd been making as an architect. It came later, after several eye-opening experiences and conversations with people I trusted. Today, I'll tell you that story. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session466" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session466</a>

SPI 466: The Moment I Took the Entrepreneurial Leap

#465 Today's guest has written some truly incredible books that I wish I'd had on hand at that time. His book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Fuel-Essential-Combination-Business/dp/1942952317" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rocket Fuel</a> was a game-changer for me in helping me realize my role in the business. His new book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46178885-entrepreneurial-leap" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Entrepreneurial Leap</a> is a powerful book, especially for anyone who's considering making the leap into entrepreneurship. Whether you've made the leap already or need to reassess where you're at, Gino's throwing down a lot of wisdom for us. Here we go! Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session465" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session465</a>

SPI 465: Making the Entrepreneurial Leap with Confidence with Gino Wickman

#464: I'm excited to introduce you to our first Follow-Up Friday episode on the SPI Podcast! Over the last couple of years we've had a lot of requests for more solo episodes of the show and now we're finally doing it. I'll be dropping a new episode every Friday to dive deeper into our Wednesday's guest interview. In this case, we didn't have a guest on Wednesday, so today it's just me diving even deeper into the world of YouTube.In today's episode we'll talk about my newest side project, Deep Pocket Monster, a Pokemon YouTube channel where I document my Pokemon card collecting and investing journey. I've put a lot of thought into strategies to get the most views and gain subscribers, and today I'll share what's working and what's not in hopes it will help you in your own YouTube journey. Welcome to Follow-Up Fridays!

SPI 464: Deep Into the Details of a New YouTube Channel (Our First Follow-up Friday!)

#463: Starting off in a brand-new space can be hard for anyone but there are some strategies and mindsets you can use to optimize your approach. Today I'm going to break it down for you as I talk about my new YouTube channel . . . in the Pokemon card collecting space. But how did I make some noise in a space that I was essentially coming into for the first time? How did I fit a brand-new project into my life on top of everything else that I do? My foray into the Pokemon card YouTube space is an excellent case study in doing exactly that, so give this episode a listen! Also, make sure you stick around until the very end: I've got a very exciting announcement for you about the future of the Smart Passive Income Podcast. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session463" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session463</a>

SPI 463: Behind the Scenes: My New Hobby YouTube Channel (and How I Pulled It Off)

#462: The cash flow between advertisers and podcasters recently has been insane — some projections say over $1 billion will be spent on podcast ads in 2021. So where do you start, whether you're someone with their own show or an advertiser with a product or service you want to spread the word about? If your curiosity is piqued, you're in the right place. Here to help answer your questions about podcast ads — whether you're a podcaster or an advertiser — is Heather Osgood of True Native Media. Podcast advertising is a massive opportunity and Heather has a ton of wisdom to share on the topic. Don't miss this one. Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session462" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session462</a>

SPI 462: Everything about Podcast Advertising: Growing Your Business and Making More Money with Podcast Ads with Heather Osgood

If you're familiar with this podcast then you've probably heard me talk about the power of podcasting. Seriously, it can be life-changing. But what's going on out there in the "podverse" — what's the state of podcasting in 2021?Whether you're new to podcasting or already have a show of your own, today's bonus episode is a must-listen: our guest is none other than Buzzsprout's head of marketing, Alban Brooke. Alban's sharing a ton of insight based on what he's seeing in the industry, where it's going, how to leverage social media to bring more listeners onto your show — there's something in here for everyone!By the way, I would highly recommend checking out Buzzsprout as a hosting provider, plus you can get some extra time on your plan if you go through <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/buzzsprout" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/buzzsprout</a>. [Full disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/podcast2021

The Surprising State of Podcasting in 2021

#461: Darryll was a Division I athlete when his football career essentially... imploded. By learning how to pick himself up from that event, including a serious turning point in his life due to a suicide attempt, Darryll realized an incredible new mission: to help people, specifically athletes, to find their next big passion. He's now a two-time TEDx speaker and the author of an Amazon best-selling book: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-After-Sports-Fulfilled/dp/1647464803" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Who Am I After Sports? An Athletes Roadmap to Discover New Purpose and Live Fulfilled</a>. He's here today to share his story, how he created his foundation, Second Chance Athletes, and his roadmap for finding your next passion in life. He's bringing the heat so go ahead and hit that play button! Show notes and more at <a href="http://smartpassiveincome.com/session461" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SmartPassiveIncome.com/session461</a>

SPI 461: How YOUR Life Experiences Translate into Serving Others Online and on Stage with Darryll Stinson

Pat Flynn from The Smart Passive Income Blog reveals all of his online business and blogging strategies, income sources and killer marketing tips and tricks so you can be ahead of the curve with your online business or blog. Discover how you can create multiple passive income streams that work for you so that you can have the time and freedom to do what you love, whether it's traveling the world, or just living comfortably at home. Since 2008, he's been supporting his family with his many online businesses, and he's been openly sharing his wins, his losses, and all the lessons in between with the community of energetic but humble entrepreneurs who follow him. Self-proclaimed "crash test dummy of online business", you'll learn about building authority online, email marketing, building a team and outsourcing, content marketing, podcasting, search engine optimization, niche sites, social media strategies, how to get more traffic, creating online courses, affiliate marketing, and productivity tips so that you create something amazing without burning yourself out. It's a mix of interviews, special co-hosts and solo shows from Pat you're not going to want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to change your life.

Why Community Is Everything In 2021 (and Beyond) — Bonus Epi...